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Live Long Enough to Become the Villain (Bieksa)


DhillonCanuck

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The thing is the media doesn't know much about hockey.

Juice wasn't the problem. Juice was a leader. Juice is heart.

Bieksa makes any team he plays on or has played on better. He's the ultimate warrior.

How about I drive the media out of town.

I get your point though based on his cap hit but there are other teams with bottom pairing dman making 4+ and I don't see moving him to be the solution. We can't afford to get softer and lose a leader of Kevin's calibre.

If we absolutely had to move someone, I'd move Hammer if the return was a radko gudas or someone similar.

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Long-time lurker, first-time poster :)

While I appreciate the media's job is to ask searching questions of players, I didn't like the way the NTC waiving questions came across to Juice and Hammer. These two guys have played through injuries, loss of form, bad mistakes and several years of pressure from the media and fans, coming through as dependable, likeable and if we're all honest, credits to the organisation. To ask them about their NTCs on the heels of such a tough season, I don't like that. Save questions like that for the GM. Ask them instead how they plan to improve for next season, what messages they can give to the fans etc.

Personally I think one of them will rebound next season - Hammer. I think Juice is on that slippery downward slope and it'll be tough to watch. Especially with him and Sbisa having such large cap hits.

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The thing is the media doesn't know much about hockey.

Juice wasn't the problem. Juice was a leader. Juice is heart.

Bieksa makes any team he plays on or has played on better. He's the ultimate warrior.

How about I drive the media out of town.

I get your point though based on his cap hit but there are other teams with bottom pairing dman making 4+ and I don't see moving him to be the solution. We can't afford to get softer and lose a leader of Kevin's calibre.

If we absolutely had to move someone, I'd move Hammer if the return was a radko gudas or someone similar.

Other than sentimental wishful thinking garbage can you give specific examples of how Bieksa made us better this season and playoffs? And which players do you feel are the ones responsible for yet another choke job?

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The media asked both him and Hamhuis an honest question. I have seen nothing in the media attempting to run him out of town. Do you have specific articles to link to this claim?

Which teams would you objectively say he would be a top 2 on? Seriously I get the hard on for him based on his past accomplishments but there is no team in the league where his on ice play at both ends at this point would put him on the top pairing. Top 4 on weak teams and 3rd pairing on any team with cup hopes.

No link. Theme of morning radio Canucks talk and polling question about whether or not he should be asked to waive, this following Tony G's 'Oh alright, I guess I'll be the one to ask' question yesterday.

Bieksa would be top-2 on the following teams:

Arizona

Edmonton

Colorado

Dallas

Carolina

New Jersey

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh, given constant injuries to Letang.

NYI, tying top RHD duties with Boychuk.

Buffalo

TO

Detroit

Possibly Columbus

For those thinking he is 'done', I put forward this:

Willie+Mitchell+2012+NHL+Stanley+Cup+Fin

But I think that is it though. Will he have a chance to do this here?

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I personally do not hate Kevin Bieksa as a person, even as a player. But I'm very annoyed and disappointed with the last few years of performance from him. Respect? of course I respect him. He was a big part of the 2011 cup run and has been a good leader in the locker room. But just because, he did all that does not mean he cannot be traded. This is a business. You perform? you get to stay. He has had so much leeway with all his performance over a couple of years now. It's part of the game, to get old and eventually get replaced, even he knows this. I want him to retire as a canuck, but that depends on him and management.

Just cause of the things he did on his prime, should NOT guarantee him a spot next season because he's a fan favorite. We will never get a cup this way.

I just hope that management handle this correctly, whatever they decide.

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The Willie Mitchell example is perfect TOMapleLaughs. Juice should be here for years to come.

Other than sentimental wishful thinking garbage can you give specific examples of how Bieksa made us better this season and playoffs? And which players do you feel are the ones responsible for yet another choke job?

Weber and sbisa played much worse imo overall.

Hammer and juice were pretty equal

Elder and Tanev where better than him but had games they were worse than him.

We lost because we got out coached. There wasn't much separating the two teams. It was going to be tight and the horrible decisions Willie made early on, cost us the series. He completely failed to adjust to playoff hockey.

The team wasn't utilized for playoff hockey.

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No link. Theme of morning radio Canucks talk and polling question about whether or not he should be asked to waive, this following Tony G's 'Oh alright, I guess I'll be the one to ask' question yesterday.

Bieksa would be top-2 on the following teams:

Arizona

Edmonton

Colorado

Dallas

Carolina

New Jersey

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh, given constant injuries to Letang.

NYI, tying top RHD duties with Boychuk.

Buffalo

TO

Detroit

Possibly Columbus

For those thinking he is 'done', I put forward this:

Willie+Mitchell+2012+NHL+Stanley+Cup+Fin

But I think that is it though. Will he have a chance to do this here?

Is that Willie Mitchell in that pic? I am onmy phone and can't enlarge it. Assong it is here is the difference. Mitchell is and always has been very good defensively. His style of game is lower risk steady defensive play. There could not be a worse comparison to Bieksa imo.

As for all those teams you listed you are on crack. Other than a handful of the worst teams they all have younger or better players that bring more on the ice than Bieksa does. I would say within a year he would not even be top 4 on many of those teams. 1st pairing on Pittsburgh? Lol injury fill in for the top 4 is more like it. Saying he would be top 2 if guys are injured is weak. On fully healthy teams making choices based on skill and on ice contribution I would not see Bieksa as a top 2 guy on any NHL team at this point.

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Very few Canucks fans thought we should let Mitchell go, it was management concern over his concussions that led to his departure was it not? This is different, this time it's the fans who appear to want him gone and the management who seemingly don't (only time will tell of course).

One thing's for sure, if Juice goes, or Burrows, or Edler, then the Sedins will have a much less familiar and much less comfortable locker room.

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As a season goes along, I get annoyed with under-achievers just like most fans, but in general you're stuck with them so try and make the best of it. But at the end of a season, when you know changes need to be made for the betterment of the team, then emotion must be stripped away so a proper decision can be made in terms of direction. Bieksa had a terrible year, is the oldest defenceman on the roster and is now overpaid for what he provides. Doesn't mean I don't like the guy, because I do. But reality says it's best for the team to find a way to part with him to regenerate this defence group. Everyone's time comes to an end, whether they like it or not. Bieksa was once a real good deckhand, now he's an anchor. Someone needs to take his place in the lineup, just like he once took someone else's.

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Meh. Bieksa's game has taken a hit in these past few years but I think he's still reliable. Him and Sbisa both need a solid partner, not each other.

From a business standpoint, it may be time to move him but aside from skill, this team also takes a hit in the leadership department if they move him.

Ultimately, he chooses if he wants to go.

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Is that Willie Mitchell in that pic? I am onmy phone and can't enlarge it. Assong it is here is the difference. Mitchell is and always has been very good defensively. His style of game is lower risk steady defensive play. There could not be a worse comparison to Bieksa imo.

As for all those teams you listed you are on crack. Other than a handful of the worst teams they all have younger or better players that bring more on the ice than Bieksa does. I would say within a year he would not even be top 4 on many of those teams. 1st pairing on Pittsburgh? Lol injury fill in for the top 4 is more like it. Saying he would be top 2 if guys are injured is weak. On fully healthy teams making choices based on skill and on ice contribution I would not see Bieksa as a top 2 guy on any NHL team at this point.

Yes. The comparison was about said players being 'done'. Willie was far from being done, and he just suffered a massive concussion when we lost him. So how Bieksa is supposedly done now is a total mystery.

Sorry, the list is accurate. You're underrating Bieksa. Don't be surprised to see him being very, very effective elsewhere, if it comes to that. But he'd be on a contender, as was Mitchell.

Regardless of what everyone thinks of Bieksa now, I guess my follow-up question is this: If we're just finding ways to ship out our core now, then why not just do it all at once and take on the rebuild full on? Why extend this process of pretending, while selling to everyone that veterans need to be around to lead, when in fact they are being escorted out, one by one?

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The thing is the media doesn't know much about hockey.

Juice wasn't the problem. Juice was a leader. Juice is heart.

Bieksa makes any team he plays on or has played on better. He's the ultimate warrior.

How about I drive the media out of town.

I get your point though based on his cap hit but there are other teams with bottom pairing dman making 4+ and I don't see moving him to be the solution. We can't afford to get softer and lose a leader of Kevin's calibre.

First let me say I absolutely :wub: KB3. Guy is all heart. HUGE man-crush.

But realistically, if Benning has any hopes of doing a MUCH needed retooling of our D (which is largely a mish-mash of middling, square peg, round holes and guys whose skill sets don't compliment each other well). One of your favourites Apollo (Miller, Bieksa+Higgins or Vrbata+) is going to have to go.

Vrbata I personally think we shouldn't move until the deadline (unless Virtanen truly shows he's ready for at LEAST a 3rd RW role). So realistically that means Miller or Bieksa + Higgins.

Personally, I vote Miller:

Edler, Green(or other similarly speedy, offensive D)

Sbisa, Tanev

Hamhuis Bieksa

...could fit if we dump Miller. But Kev's on shaky ground....

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Other than sentimental wishful thinking garbage can you give specific examples of how Bieksa made us better this season and playoffs? And which players do you feel are the ones responsible for yet another choke job?

Choke job? You make it seem like we were legit contenders this season. We drafted 6th overall last season. We had a good turn around and made the playoffs a lot earlier then was pegged by experts and some fans. Hardly a "choke job".
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Yes. The comparison was about said players being 'done'. Willie was far from being done, and he just suffered a massive concussion when we lost him. So how Bieksa is supposedly done now is a total mystery.

Sorry, the list is accurate. You're underrating Bieksa. Don't be surprised to see him being very, very effective elsewhere, if it comes to that.

Regardless of what everyone thinks of Bieksa now, I guess my follow-up question is this: If we're just finding ways to ship out our core now, then why not just do it all at once and take on the rebuild full on? Why extend this process of pretending, while selling to everyone that veterans need to be around to lead, when in fact they are being escorted out, one by one?

You really believe that Bieksa is as effective at either end of the ice as Boychuk? That is one example of seeing what you want to see. What in their play and numbers the past few seasons makes you think that exactly?

Look at the D on those teams you listed a little more closely. Then look at their prospect pools. Then look at the players available to sign as free agents. Some of those teams will have far better options than Bieksa in short order and most actually have better options already despite the ridiculous notion that he is a top 2 d in the NHL. Any team that has Bieksa in their top 2 is not even making the playoffs.

Mitchell was a risk based on injury. Bieksa is a risk based on seriously declining play not related to injury. It is apples to oranges. Being done because of a major concussion and being done because of lack of skill are two different things.

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